Miki Teng, MBA '16

Graziadio Spotlight Stories

Finding the Right Fit

After I applied to the Pepperdine Graziadio Full-Time MBA Program, I took a tour of
the Malibu campus and fell in love with the university. The Graziadio Business School
provides a world-renowned business education beautifully situated in the heart of
the Los Angeles region. The business school also offers small class sizes—a huge selling
point for me.

I knew small class sizes would allow me to get up-close-and-personal with my professors.
With the collaborative classroom environment, real-world business training, and one-on-one
attention from faculty, I knew Pepperdine was the right fit for me. Choosing Graziadio
was a no-brainer, it felt right from the very beginning.

What Sets Pepperdine Apart

The "Pepperdine Difference" is exemplified in the exceptional caliber of its faculty
members. As a student, having the opportunity to learn from former CEOs and top executives
is a game-changer. The Graziadio faculty use their expertise and professional backgrounds
to provide experience-driven guidance on how to solve everyday business problems.

Working closely with professors who have real world business experience is what attracted
me to the Pepperdine MBA Program, and contributed greatly to my success there.

Shaping My Success

The Graziadio School's Career Management Center assisted me in getting an internship
with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). The partnership between Pepperdine University and D&B
provides business immersion opportunities for Graziadio students, including paid internships.
I was fortunate enough to work at D&B as a Direct Marketing Business Analyst Intern
for eight months, while also earning my MBA at Pepperdine.

During my internship, I was able to apply the business and marketing skills I was
actively learning in the classroom to the projects I was working on. While my coursework
helped to broaden my perspective, my internship solidified my professional expertise.
It gave me the hands-on experience I needed to boost my career, and, after completing
my internship and graduating from Pepperdine, D&B actually offered me a job as a Business
Analyst.

Since my first day as an intern, I have been nothing but impressed by D&B's work culture.
I have never worked with a company that has such a fun work environment. Every day,
I am surrounded by a team that is easy to work with and full of experts in their field.

A Powerful Alumni Network

The Graziadio alumni network is a valuable resource that should not be underestimated.
Pepperdine Graziadio alums helped me find mentors and professional opportunities to
explore several pathways to my career. I hope one day to pass on to Graziadio students
the same wisdom and knowledge I received from the many alums I came into contact with
while at Pepperdine. Pepperdine Graziadio alumni have a passion for giving back and
staying connected to the Pepperdine community that I think demonstrates the value
alumni see in their MBA.

Advice for Prospective Students

Earning an MBA is a journey of finding yourself, learning your strengths and weaknesses,
and discovering what you're truly passionate about. Use this time to take risks and
learn something new—that's what you're here for after all. Also, really challenge
yourself to get involved. I served as the President of the Asian Business Club and
the Director of Corporate Outreach of the Marketing Society. These experiences helped
me learn from other students and shape my career choices. Lastly, always keep your
mind and options open. One window of opportunity might lead to several.

About Miki

Miki Teng is a 2016 MBA graduate from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. While a student, Miki served as the President of the Asian Business Club and the Director of Corporate Outreach of the Marketing Society. Prior to Pepperdine, Ms. Teng was a Marketing Associate at Sysco, the largest food service company in the United States, managing over seventy accounts across two sales territories. Currently, Miki is a Business Analyst for Dun & Bradstreet.